Travels in the Scriptorium ~Paul Auster
–published 2006
–145 pages, Picador
–4/5 stars
I have been very good in controlling my book buying habits of late (which I attribute primarily to the fact that I haven’t been going into the bookstore much lately). Because of this my defenses were down and when I went in to Barnes and Noble last week to pick up a copy of Stephanie Barron’s A Flaw in the Blood for my wife I wasted no time in deciding to pick up this Paul Auster book shelved close by.
My conceit during our annual anniversary getaways is that I will finish one book during our time away. That rarely happens because I often take something along that is too big to realistically finish in the time frame alloted (after all, I don’t only want to read on my anniversary *wink, wink*). At only 145 pages, I knew I could not go wrong with Travels in the Scriptorium.
And how could I resist with a back cover blurb like this:
An old man awakens, disoriented, in an unfamiliar chamber. With no memory of who he is or how he has arrived there, he pores over the relics on the desk, examining the circumstances of his confinement and searching his own hazy mind for clues.
Determining that he is locked in, the man–identified only as Mr. Blank–begins reading a manuscript he finds on the desk, the story of another prisoner set in an unfamiliar, alternate world. As the day passes, various characters call on Mr. Blank in his cell, and each brings frustrating hints of his forgotten identity and his past.
Both chilling and poignant, Travels in the Scriptorium is vintage Paul Auster: mysterious texts, fluid identities, a hidden past, and, somewhere, an obscure tormentor. And yet, as we discover during one day in the life of Mr. Blank, his world is not so different from our own.
I can only speak for myself in saying that reading that hooked me and Travels joined me in my recent, er…travels!
Travels in the Scriptorium is a quick read, and not just because it more resembles a novella at 145 pages. Travels was a quick read because it was a page turner. In the hands of a less skilled author I can imagine that a day in the life of any character that takes place only in the confines of a small room could be boring…but not in Paul Auster’s hands. I was immediately drawn in to Mr. Blank’s predicament and was as mystified and intrigued by the events that unfolded during that day as Mr. Blank was himself. Travels is one of those novels in which the suspense builds not only because of the way it is written but also because the reader sees the number of pages remaining dwindling quite rapidly and that fact builds tension and suspense.
In perusing the reviews of Travels on the internet it appears that this, Paul Auster’s 13th novel, finds people either in the love it or loathe it camps. This is my first experience with Paul Auster. I had thought upon purchasing it that I did not have any Paul Auster books but it turns out that earlier this year I bought his mystery novel, The New York Trilogy, and after finishing Travels that book has moved rapidly up my to-read list. Readers familiar with Auster’s work noted that some of the characters in Travels are essentially cameo roles for characters from previous novels. Many of the self-proclaimed Auster fans feel like this aspect, missing from the experience of one who has not read many, or any, Auster novels, will affect a reader’s ability to enjoy Travels. I must respectfully disagree. While that would no doubt add an interesting dimension to the tale, I found the story to be strong enough to stand on its own. Some Paul Auster fans claim that he has lost his touch and that all of his novels are starting to sound the same or deal with the same themes. Again, I could not comment on that–it worked for me and was an excellent reading experience that made me want to read more of Auster’s work.
In the interest of full disclosure I must admit that I do not expect everyone to like this novel. It certainly has a Twilight Zone premise that carries with it its own Twilight Zone ending. And I figured the ending out before I got to the revelation…but that in no way whatsoever lessened my enjoyment of the story. Travels in the Scriptorium has a couple of what I would consider ‘juvenile male fantasy’ moments but even those served to deepen the emotions one feels for Mr. Blank and for some of the characters who inhabit his day.
Travels in the Scriptorium is mysterious, melancholy, suspenseful, gripping and ultimately leads one to an appreciation of the author’s skill, the process of creativity, and the satisfaction of a brief story well told. As Travels also contains a story-within-the-story that aspect appealed to me and I believe would appeal to all of you who like similar devices in your novels.
Because I would like to read the viewpoint(s) of others in our blogging universe on Travels in the Scriptorium I am going to do something I rarely do–I am going to give my copy away. If you are interested in reading this book (and it looks like new if that matters to you), then simply say so along with anything else you have to say in the comments and I will draw a name Tuesday night at 11:59 p.m. for a winner!
This was a memorable and thought-provoking read on my anniversary trip and I look forward to being able to pass that experience on to someone else.
A Twilight Zone premise? I’m there! This one sounds fab. 🙂
I’ve only read one by Auster, but found him intriguing. Plus, I know Andi adores him and you’ve made this sound very interesting. So I would love to read it 😉
I’ve never read anything by him, but this sound really intriguing. I love those sorts of Twilight Zone-y books! I’ll track this down if I don’t win! 🙂
Somehow your description of the book brings to mind Hitchcock’s Rear Window: all of the action in one room and the suspense building at every moment. I wonder if a “juvenile male fantasy” could give me any helpful insight into my son’s mind? It’s a slow motion horror film of its own accord, but perhaps we could both benefit from a reading of this novella. I must say, you’ve intrigued me with the presentation in this post. As usual.
I LOVE PAUL AUSTER!!!! He’s probably my biggest literary crush ever. I’ve read all of his memoirs in addition to The New York Trilogy, and I have Travels waiting on my TBR as we speak. In fact, I’ve bought nearly all of his books, and I hardly ever do that. I’m so so so glad you liked this one, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of The New York Trilogy.
Andi: I started reading The New York Trilogy tonight and from page one I am enjoying his writing style and the way he tells stories.
Bellezza: I doubt this would help you understand your son! It isn’t a book of miracles, after all, just fiction. 🙂 I can certainly feel your pain, having once been a teenage son myself.
Jenn: do, I’d love to read your impressions.
Heather: always glad to discover new authors whose books make me want to go pick up more, and this is one of those.
Becky: It was Twilight Zoneish to me anyway…and I should know since I live there. Ha!
I have always wanted to read this author, which you would think means I would have a book by them already on my TBR pile, but I don’t. Count me in!
Not only does this book sound great, but I love that cover too! It rocks! It should be framed or something. I feel horrible saying this, but I haven’t even heard of Paul Auster 😮 I’d love to be entered for the drawing though to remedy that!
Chris: Don’t feel horrible, as I said I just saw the book, read the back, and thought ‘this sounds great’. It wasn’t until a few days later that I had that ‘oh duh’ moment realizing I had bought New York Trilogy in January after it showed up on several best of the year lists.
Kailana: I have several authors I want to read but don’t own any of their books, you are not alone.
I’m going to opt out of this draw (because I don’t have a place to share my thoughts about it), but this sounds like an interesting book that I’ll probably be looking for at the library.
I’ve read “Travels” and enjoyed it – I wrote about it on my blog, so I’m, not entering the draw. There is no horse on the front cover of my copy! I’d just like to say that I was one of the people who wondered if anyone would enjoy it without having read at least some of Auster’s books, so I was very interested in your view and glad that you want to read more of his books. So far I’ve only read “Oracle Nights” and “The Book of Illusions”. I find Auster’s books intriguing and plan to read all of them (when I can).
Well, I’ve never even heard of Paul Auster before (probably that whole living in a cave thing coming in to haunt me again, huh?). But I have to say, this book really does sound intriguing! Don’t enter me in the drawing though…I already popped over to the library’s website, and sure enough, they’ve got a copy. Thanks for the fabulous review!
I read Paul Auster, bizarrely, while I was living in Geneva. I don’t remember how I first picked him up (maybe a roommate?) but I think I read the New York Trilogy. Very much enjoyed it, although I can understand the love it/loathe it mentality, which I suspect holds true for most of his books.
We’re now in the last week pre-move, so I most likely won’t make it on to comment between now and then, but hope that all is well between now and the next time I read your blog!
Don’t worry about entering me in the draw – I won’t have much reading time for the next month or so anyway (and I’m sure I can track a copy down at the library 😉 )
Someone else just recommended Auster to me, so I’ll have to get a hold of this one – I love books about books and writers – wonder why? 🙂
This books sounds amazing – I’ve never heard of the author before. You’re always enlightening me 🙂
Sounds very promising! I’ve heard a lot of good things about Paul Auster before, but this particular title is new to me.
Sounds fascinating I want to flip through it! 🙂
Paul Auster is one of those writers I’ve been meaning to investigate, this sounds like a great place to start – I’d love to win it, but it’s on the list anyway.
Count me in as well, this sounds quite intriguing! 🙂
That is certainly an eye catching cover! My husband would probably like this if I could get him to read it. I have enough books in my TBR pile right now lol, and I just bought two new ones! I’ll see if my library has it. Great review!
Sorry I’ve not been by in a while (I’m so behind in my reading!). I didn’t just stop by for the drawing (actually it sounds good, but better to give someone else a chance as I am totally bogged down right now), mostly to just say hi and see what’s up. I’ve NOT been good about not buying books, and I haven’t been going to the bookstore either…Hope you had a great anniversary!! 🙂
I love the banner you have now, by the way!
I just love that cover image. It’d make me impulse purchase if I spotted that 🙂
I’ve only read one Auster, it doesn’t stand out in my memory, but I’d be interested in this one from your review.
Wow this sounds very interesting. I’ve not even heard of Auster but it sounds like a book I would enjoy and even better, it’s short! I much prefer books 250 pages or less. Please enter me!
Great review! I already own a copy of the book and it’s been in my to-be-read stack for quite a while, so don’t put me in the drawing. But I think you’ve finally convinced me to go ahead and read my first Auster.
I remember seeing that this was coming out and then I forgot about it, so thanks for reminding me! A great review as usual. If you are interested, I reviewed one of Auster’s other books, The Book of Illusions, over at my site livingtheliminal.com (just search for Auster). While this one is less Twilight Zone than some of his others, it’s a tragic and powerful novel that I totally recommend.
oh wow! that looks very good. the blurb really makes it sound exciting.
and its good to know he pulls it off – those kinds of stories are incredibly tricky to do and authors very easily fail. so its good to know it works here!
thanks for the cool review!
I admit this one came up on my radar because of the title… I just love it. Glad to hear it’s a great read. As always such a good review Carl!
Oh and a very belated happy anniversary! 🙂
Thanks Iliana, and you’re welcome!
I am 25 pages from being finished with my second Paul Auster book, The New York Trilogy, and I am finding it every bit as enjoyable as Travels. Review coming soon!
This one sounds very interesting. Am adding to my list! Sorry I missed the giveaway!
Funnily enough I have The New York Trilogy sitting on a shelf unread…
If you’ve seen today’s post, Quix then you’ll know that I no longer have that book on my ‘to read’ pile, it is done! And I really enjoyed it.